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"Hamiota altisis" Fine-lined pocketbook
Conservation status
Threatened (ESA)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Unionida
Family:	Unionidae
Genus:	Hamiota
Species:	H. altilis
Binomial name
Hamiota altilis (Conrad, 1834)
Synonyms
Lampsilis altilis (Conrad, 1834)

Summary

The fine-lined pocketbook (Hamiota altilis) is a species of freshwater mussel native to the southeastern United States. The aquatic bivalve is a mollusc in the family Unionida. The mussel is found in inland bodies of freshwater that range in size from small creeks to large rivers. Mussel beds have been found in sand, gravel, and gravel-cobble soil types that do not have heavy silt deposits.

Physical Characteristics

The fine-lined pocketbook is sub-oval in shape and can grow to 117 mm (4.61”) in length, which is measured from the anterior tip to the posterior tip of the shell. The coloration of the periostracum, the outermost layer of the shell, is yellow-brown to blackish, with fine rays on the posterior half. The coloration of the nacre, the innermost layer of the shell, is white and becomes iridescent posteriorly. In females, the ventral margin of the shell is angled posteriorly, resulting in a pointed posterior margin.

Life History

Like many mussels, the fine-lined pocketbook can be characterized by two main phases: a relatively short, parasitic larvae phase in which the organisms are free-swimming, and a long, benthic mature phase in which the organisms are sedentary. Males release free-swimming sperm into open water, which females then siphon into the body in order to fertilize their eggs internally. This reproductive strategy is viable because mussels form dense aggregations, called beds, when they reach maturity, so the males and females are within proximity to one another. Once the eggs have been fertilized, the females brood glochidia, the parasitic larvae, from late spring to late summer. During this time, the mothers release superconglutinates called brood lures, long, gelatinous strings attached to multiple glochidial packages. The superconglutinate floats to the surface of the water, moving with the current and appearing to be a small fish. Predatory hosts then consume the superconglutinate assuming it is food; once inside a suitable host, the glochidia then attach to the fish to grow for a period ranging from weeks to a few months. When the glochidia has developed into a juvenile mussel, it detaches from the host and settles in the substrate at the bottom of the body of water it occupies and begins to live as a mature mussel. The fine-lined pocketbook uses tethered brood lures to attach to hosts, and favors bass from the genus Micropteris and green sunfish (Lepomus cyanellus) as hosts for broods. Mature females will also use mantle lures, brood lures that attract hosts to the proximity of the broods by appearing as prey.

Ecology

Diet:

Hamiota altisis is a filter-feeder that consumes phytoplankton, bacteria, and algaes from its aquatic environment. Studies suggest that diets may change throughout the life of an unionid, with juveniles utilizing pedal feeding and eventually maturing to become filter feeders.

Behavior:

The fine-lined pocketbook is a long-term brooder, also known as bradytictic, with females releasing glochidia as superconglutinates or conglutinates during the spring months (April-June). It was found that Redeye bass (Micropterus coosa), Alabama bass (M. henshalli), spotted bass (M. puctulatus) largemouth bass (M. salmoides), and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) are suitable hosts for the parasitic larvae. Once a mussel has detached from its host, it settles at the bottom of the waterbed and begins the to live out a sedentary life of filter-feeding.

Habitat:

Hamiota altilis occupy small streams and creeks with little variation due to its nativity to the eastern Mobile Basin of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. The species typically live in muddy sand or gravel-cobble substrates in the water. Generally, the fine-lined pocketbook needs running water with a slight to moderate current.

Range:

The fine-lined pocketbook is primarily found along the eastern Mobile River Basin in the southeastern United States, which includes the states of Alabama and Georgia. Historically, Hamiota altilis was native to the Tombigbee, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Alabama, Tallapoosa, and Coosa River drainages. Most recently, however, the species appears only in the Cahaba, Tallapoosa, and Coosa Rivers. In 2002, a lone individual was collected from Euharlee Creek in Georgia and in a 2014 resurvey, several more were found in the same area. Another large population was found in the Ellijay River during 2013 surveys, as well as a population in Shoal Creek watershed in Cherokee County during June 2017.

Conservation:

Population Size:

Due to limited information on the species, the current population size of the fine-lined pocketbook is unknown. Currently, we are seeing a long and short term reduction of most fine-lined pocketbook populations, with a decline of around 50-70%.

Past and Current Geographical Distribution:

The fine-lined pocketbook is distributed through the Mobile River Basin. This basin runs throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, and may change. Changes in the distribution may be due to dams, or through natural changes to the river. Since being listed, the distribution has decreased as population declines, but is recovering.

Major Threats:

The fine-lined pocketbook has few major threats. Threats include habitat modification, sedimentation, and poor water quality. The species struggles with the change in water flow, namely from calm to quick-moving water.

The Mobile Basin in Georgia is currently experiencing development along the banks. Due to the development, and agriculture excess sediment can end up in water and bury the pocketbook. Agriculture also may cause a decrease in water quality through pesticide runoff. Potential reservoirs may fragment or inundate extant populations in the Tallapoosa River Basin.

Listing Under the ESA:

The fine-lined pocketbook was officially listed as threatened on March 17, 1993.

5-year Review:

The last 5 year review was conducted on September 23rd, 2014, under the name Lampsilis altilis. There is not much information about the plans for the fine-lined pocketbook, only that we need more information about the species to come up with a proper plan.

Species Status Assessment:

Currently unavailable.

Recovery Plan:

The original recovery plan for the fine-lined pocketbook passed November 17, 2000. It was updated on September 25, 2019. A major goal of this is to culture many specimens to later release. To remove the species from the ESA there are a few conditions that are needed. To start, there need to be at least 10 populations in the wild, and increase naturally. There also needs to be 2 populations in each area where mussels are found. Along with this, they need to occupy both tributary and mainstream areas. A final criteria to be met is that threats must be maintained or managed to allow the species to thrive. The critical habitat includes the Tallapoosa, Coosa, Cahaba, and Lower Coosa rivers, the Oostanaula and Uphapee complexes, and the Hatchet, Shoal, Kelly, Cheaha, Yellowleaf, and Big Canoe creeks, throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

References

Category:Molluscs of the United States Category:Unionidae Category:Bivalves described in 1834 Category:Taxa named by Timothy Abbott Conrad Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Category:ESA threatened species